Used 2016 Mazda CX-3 Consumer Reviews
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CX-3 -- what the reviews don't mention
redward, 08/10/2016
updated 02/16/2021
2016 Mazda CX-3 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
61 of 86 people found this review helpful
The CX-3 Touring looks great in all the reviews -- the long snout , SUV styling, AWD, loud exhaust note, nice price, etc. But after driving one for 6 months, I find that it is loaded with badly executed features and controls that are a continuing source of irritation and discomfort. The long hoodline is eye-catching but it translates to a back seat that barely has room for a young teenager, much less for a tall adult, and the rear cargo area is minimal compared to my previous hatchback, a Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback. The GT was far superior to the CX-3 in roominess, interior styling, controls, handy features and lots of storage areas. The CX-3 has almost no functional front storage areas -- the cupholders are underneath a squeaky, creaky cheap plastic armrest, which is in the driver's way whether it's raised or lowered -- lots of fun to tackle when you're driving and you want a sip of your coffee. Nav system graphics features maps that are almost unusable -- road names, instead of being placed alongside or within each street they are featured in big white boxes with an arrow pointing to the street. In a crowded area, the screen is a mess of white boxes, obliterating any sense of where you are, floating aimlessly across the screen — totally amateur graphics unlike any I've ever seen. Mazda also gets demerits for being one of the few manufacturers that did NOT include Apple CarPlay software in the 2016 CX-3 which enables you to hook up an iPhone and use it through the audio system. Mazda software takes forever to boot up on starting, showing not even a simple clock until your journey is well underway. The accelerator is jumpy and gives jackrabbit starts, which hotshot reviewers seem to love, but in heavy bumper to bumper traffic, hair-trigger acceleration is an accident waiting to happen. The brakes are fine, but grab as you come to a stop -- making it seem like you've stopped too short. The interior is filled with cheap, low quality plastics that are noisy and flimsy -- sunglasses in the overhead holder rattle like crazy since there is no rubber cushioning to absorb the considerable road vibrations. Two deep cubbyholes in the front doors allow full access only if you get down on the floor and reach backwards to retrieve the objects that have rolled back there. The standard floor mats are made of thin, tacky spun material. Cabin noise levels on smooth surfaces and low speeds are acceptable, but increase rapidly on asphalt/gravel combination roads which are common in our area. Road noise combines with considerable wind noise at turnpike speeds to make music listening or conversation a chore. The controls for the audio system are located just UNDER the front of the armrest, requiring you twist your hand down and back in order to connect with them — a really stupid design. The cool sounding exhaust becomes a screeching bellow when you hit the gas for strong acceleration -- I suspect it may be artificially enhanced since the CX-3 is not a high performance vehicle. The automatic transmission is set up to downshift even on slow accelerations -- another attempt to add "zoom zoom" to your driving experience, like it or not. Stupid things like the windshield washers hitting low on the windshield, preventing the right 1/3 of the windshield from ever getting cleaned, leaving annoying streaks every time. Two dealers checked them and said there is no way to correct the aim, and checking other vehicles showed the same problem! The drivers’ side all weather rubber floor mat pops off the guide pins repeatedly, causing the mat to shift around and tangle with the pedals -- a potentially serious safety problem. Again, two dealers checked it and said "Yup, the mat doesn't fit the pins." A new set of mats showed the same problem since the pins, attached to the floor of my car, are off by almost ½ inch, causing the mat to spring loose. (Neither dealer offered any further action on these items.) The dashboard information is conveyed by intense white LEDs creating tiny lettering that is difficult to read while driving. The intensity control for lighting is a strange, raw metal post sticking straight out of the dash that offers only too high or too low light levels. Most important information is displayed by tiny, sometimes incoherent icons that are difficult to read -- dozens of them, and their minuscule size escapes notice if you are not constantly scanning the blacked out icon area. None of these problems are game changers, but they add up to a car that seems like it was rushed into production without much checking to see how the ergonomics of the design worked out. The Hyundai GT had many more convenience features that were all nicely designed and rendered -- for instance, a smooth power roof compared to Mazda's cheap plastic manual slider with a glass panel that rises just an inch and produces too much wind noise. The Elantra GT was a lot more car for the money. Sold it after 8 mos. at huge loss, bought a Honda HR-V. Nice.
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Mazda CX-3 - great subcompact crossover
Scott Zeigen, 12/26/2015
updated 07/17/2018
2016 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
If you want a small SUV that easily moves around other larger cars on the road that get in your way ... this is the one. I have had it for over 12,000 miles now, getting 24 MPG. The fold down seats do give you more cargo room. I really miss having a turbo engine. I was driving a manual transmission VW Beetle for 15 years, so I generally turn on the manual gear selection on this automatic. The paddle shifters work great except when you go around the corner when you must use the console shifter instead However, if you need more rear cargo get the CX-5 or larger CX-7. Issues: The lane change warning indicator goes off for no reason quite often and is annoying; there is no way to turn it off! The touch screen cannot be used if the car of going over 5 miles per hour and you have to look down to see the knob and buttons (this to me is more dangerous than touching the screen).
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2016 Mazda CX-3 for sale near you
3 of 8 listings
- Touring 4dr SUVMSRP: $12,99520 mi away
- Grand Touring 4dr SUVMSRP: $18,998In-stock online
- Grand Touring 4dr SUVMSRP: $14,998In-stock online
See all 8 listings
Mazda CX-3 Easily the Best Subcompact SUV
Chuck C, 03/30/2018
2016 Mazda CX-3 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
My factory warranty is about to expire, and I've had just a single problem. Early on, the blower developed a bothersome whine - not loud - on just one of the speed settings. My dealer replaced the blower and it never happened again. The CX-3 is a lot of fun to drive, but if cargo space is a priority, this vehicle may not be for you. Take the time to learn about the Mazda suite of Skyactiv technologies (there are animated videos on the Internet), before you take all your test drives. That information should help to convince you. Mazda's engineers are the best in the business.
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Little Dynamo
Magdalo, 01/12/2017
updated 01/18/2018
2016 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This CUV is not for everybody. It is a driver's car for someone who appreaciates being behind the wheel. It is for the driver who likes aggressive styling and enjoys the twist and turns of daily travels. After 24 months and 12500 miles, there's so much to love about the CX3. The exterior / interior is always pleasant to look at and build quality is still very satisfying. All-whell drive system is very capable during snowy months. I-Activsense driving aids are helpful if not overly sensitive, especially the blind-spot monitor. Fuel economy is an average of 24.1 combined. Bose sound system could be better and navigation was updated once by the dealer for minor issue. Overall, the CX3 is still a very stylish, engaging, and capable CUV.
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49k miles driven
Jim C., 12/24/2015
updated 06/28/2019
2016 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
Great car, loaded with goodies The back seat room is tight as expected, If you don't like little footprints on the back of the front seats, then this car is not for you! Paint is too soft, chips easily. The only issue I have had is the radio/ Navigation. The system tends to reboot on its own from time to time when the USB ports are being used. Dealer could not reproduce the problem! (Repaired with firmware update.) Update: a/c condenser failed at 42k Mazda assisted in repair paying 1k for. $ 1400.00 job Rear bearing seal replaced under powertrain warranty.
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